Psychological Profile of Theodore Rooseve

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Psychological Profile of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt, the second of four children, was born on October 27, 1858, in New York City. As a child, Roosevelt struggled against frailty, nearsightedness, and asthma. He had a love for books which helped foster a love for nature and the outdoors. He also exercised vigorously and developed a lifelong interest in what he called “the strenuous life.”

At age 18, Theodore Roosevelt entered Harvard University with the intent of becoming a naturalist. As a senior he began work on a book, “The Naval War of 1812.” He then graduated 21st in a class of 177 in 1880 and married Alice Hathaway Lee. After graduation, at the age of 22, Roosevelt joined New York City’s 21st District Republican Club and was elected to the New York Assembly. On February 1884, Theodore Roosevelt’s mother died of typhoid and later on his wife died of a kidney ailment while giving birth to their daughter, Alice. In 1886, he got married to Edith Kemit Carow, who bore for him five children. Political service to Benjamin Harrison won TR a seat on the Civil Service Commission in 1889. He gained national attention by staging a fight against favoritism; his position- jobs should go to the most qualified applicants. In 1895, Roosevelt took the post of NYC Police Commissioner and fought Democrats and Republicans to establish a merit system for appointments and promotions. TR was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1897 and immediately began building the strength of the Navy.

During the 1898 Spanish-American War, TR resigned to go to battle. He organized the first U.S Cavalry Regiment “The Rough Riders” and saw action at San Juan Hill. Returning from Cuba a hero, Roosevelt was ...

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...is well-known adventurous behavior. He then began to explore natural history, and asthma permitting, went outside as much as possible. He loved to challenge his physical stamina and would get in fights with people who tried to discourage him or talk him down. During the Spanish-American War, he volunteered to lead the Rough Riders and he led his troops through heavy fire to take San Juan Hill. Like he always said, “I want to make a man out of myself,” and that was what he did.

Theodore Roosevelt also exhibited an extraordinary sense of morality, a trait he learned from his father. Throughout Roosevelt’s political career, he interpreted every decision made as morally right or wrong and acted accordingly. He fought for political reforms in New York City because he deemed them wrong and prosecuted the trusts because he disagreed with the way they did business.

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